Emirates Press

DUBAI: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is showcasing its distinguished services and projects for investors, health professionals, health facilities and the public during its participation in the 23rd edition of the Dubai International Dermatology and Laser Conference and Exhibition (Dubai Derma) 2024.

The Authority’s participation in this annual event constitutes a valuable opportunity to introduce its innovative services, the investment opportunities available in the health sector, the significant importance it offers to create an environment conducive to health investment, strengthening the emirate’s position as a preferred destination for medical tourism, and attracting medical tourists for treatments across several medical specialties, including dermatology.

Dubai Medical Registry

During its participation in the exhibition, the Authority will showcase the ‘Dubai Medical Register’, which helps customers and the public instantly search the health sector database to identify all health professionals in t
he Emirate of Dubai from various categories, including doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, health profession practitioners, and alternative medicine practitioners. Through this register, one can also identify the health professional’s specialisation, academic certificates, and practical experience obtained, in addition to the health facilities in which the professional works in the emirate.

The register also provides customers with complete details about all licenced health facilities in the emirate, their addresses, specialities available here, and ways to communicate directly with them. The register constitutes a documented database compatible with the best applicable international standards.

Health Investment in Dubai

At the conference, Dubai Health Authority will also showcase the promising investment opportunities provided by the health sector in the emirate in key specialised fields.

Sheryan System

The authority will also present to participants and visitors of the exhibition and conference its in
telligent services and systems in the field of licencing professionals and health facilities and their oversight and auditing through the (Sheryan) system. It relies in its operation on the latest means and modern technologies supported by artificial intelligence, to facilitate procedures and automate the regulatory journey to ensure the patients’ safety and provide the highest quality of services in the emirate.

The “Sheryan” system constitutes an essential platform for professionals and health facilities in Dubai in light of the growth of the health sector in the emirate. There was a strong demand for health professionals in 2023 opting to work in the health sector in Dubai. The DHA recorded 904,646 new professional registrations, along with 26,279 new facility registrations and 952 requests for facility activation during the same year.

Dubai’s licenced health facilities have witnessed significant growth over the past five years, increasing from 3,431 in 2019 to 4,922 in 2023, while the number of health p
rofessionals increased from 39,548 to 58,788 during the same period.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has honoured the partners of the Health Promotion Department, in recognition of their crucial role in implementing and ensuring the success of health and wellbeing initiatives and programmes.

The honouring ceremony, held at the ministry’s headquarters, was attended by Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector, and Nouf Khamis Al Ali, Director of the Health Promotion Department, as well as officials, MoHAP employees, representatives of strategic partners from government, private entities, and suppliers.

Through the honouring, the ministry aims to strengthen its cooperation with its partners, to achieve its ambitious goals, foster health sector development, and improve the overall quality of healthy living. It also aims to highlight the significant role of partnerships in improving public health.

The event was organised as part of the ministry’s comprehensive strategy focussed on fostering positive collaborati
ons, sharing knowledge and expertise, and stimulating innovation in disease prevention, through awareness campaigns targeting different community groups.

During the ceremony’s opening speech, Dr. Al Rand highlighted the ministry’s commitment to developing productive partnerships with strategic stakeholders from both the federal and local governments, as well as the private sector.

Such partnerships provide solid ground for rolling out awareness campaigns that aim to improve health awareness, promote healthy behaviour among the population, and support the ministry’s strategic vision to create a future where health and well-being are universally attainable, he added.

Realising this vision depends on the collaborative endeavours of all relevant entities to address both current and impending health challenges, so celebrating strategic partners is crucial, as they form an elite coalition of government and private institutions that act as a cohesive and interconnected system, collectively pursuing a comprehensiv
e series of health objectives, he further added.

‘Through this ceremony, we look forward to keeping our partners updated with the recent developments and methodologies adopted by the Health Promotion Department, to refresh performance metrics, enhance services and support the sustainable development agenda, in line with MoHAP’s strategic plans,’ Dr. Al Rand said.

Al Ali said the Health Promotion Department, operating under the umbrella of the MoHAP’s Public Health Sector, is committed to acknowledging the invaluable contributions of both partners and supporters, including those involved in the department’s programmes, projects, and health initiatives from the local, federal, and private sectors. The honour comes in recognition of their support for the department’s awareness programmes and activities throughout 2023, she added, highlighting the department’s achievements and health awareness plan for 2024.

Lauding the productive and long-standing collaboration with partners across government and private sect
ors, she stressed that the strategic partnerships celebrated today are vital to building a comprehensive and integrated health system.

‘By leveraging shared capabilities and resources, these partnerships facilitate the launch of awareness initiatives and innovative health programs to enhance health awareness, foster positive health behaviours across the community, and execute sustainable health strategies tailored to the evolving needs of society,’ Al Ali said.

The ceremony recognised 48 partners and supporters, including 32 private entities and 16 government bodies that supported health initiatives launched by the ministry’s Health Promotion Department.

A flagship initiative by the Health Promotion Department is the third phase of the ‘Positive Healthy Work Environment-Check’ programme, which was launched to empower employers to enhance their employees’ health and motivate them towards healthy living habits. The initiative also aims to foster a health-supportive work environment and has successfully engag
ed 25 federal and local government entities over its first two phases, with the participation of some 2,500 employees.

Additionally, the department launched a public campaign to highlight the risks of smoking products and their public health implications, along with other initiatives targeting obesity prevention among children and adults, and various programmes dedicated to improving community health.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: The Emirati Genome Programme, a groundbreaking national initiative aimed at developing a comprehensive genetic map for UAE citizens, has announced its collaboration with Saudi German Health to expand sample collection sites in Dubai. UAE citizens are encouraged to visit the Saudi German Hospital in Dubai, Ajman and Sharjah to participate in the programme that aims to accelerate the development of advanced preventive and personalised healthcare solutions for the nation’s present and future generations.

The Emirati Genome Programme is a significant initiative under the National Genome Strategy. It is one of the largest population genome projects in the world and has recently achieved a significant milestone of collecting 500,000 samples. The programme aims to collect high-quality genetic data using advanced genetic sequencing technologies and artificial intelligence. M42, an Abu Dhabi-based tech-enabled health powerhouse, is facilitating the programme through its Omics Centre of Excellence, the largest
and most technologically advanced omics facility in the region, to not only enhance the available medical database, but also enable extensive scientific research and discoveries, contributing to healthcare innovation in the UAE and beyond.

Makarem Sobhi Batterjee, President of Saudi German Health, emphasised the significance of the collaboration, stating, ‘The Emirati Genome Programme is a pioneering national initiative, and as a leading hospital in the UAE, we are committed to making a positive impact on people’s health. Our full cooperation with the project management will ensure driving public awareness and collection of samples across the Emirates.’

The programme’s goal is to analyse the complete genome of UAE citizens, allowing researchers and medical professionals to identify the causes of genetic diseases and types of genetic mutations, and anticipate susceptibility to certain diseases for more effective treatment and preventive plans.

Dr. Ahmad Al Awadhi, Senior Community Outreach Director, Emirati
Genome Programme, M42, said, ‘As we progress towards realising the programme’s aim to collect 1 million samples and to expand the programme across the UAE, we are proud to collaborate with Saudi German Hospitals to improve the programme’s awareness, outreach, and participation at easily accessible locations.’

The programme focuses on precision medicine initiatives to further enhance public health in the UAE and reinforce the country’s position at the forefront of global genomic research and innovation.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH: In 2023, the Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP) made significant strides in supporting cancer patients and their families.

The Sharjah-based international civil society organisation provided financial support amounting to AED7.2 million to 323 patients suffering from 55 different types of cancer, including 246 women, 55 men, and 22 children. Additionally, FOCP organised 25 initiatives to bolster moral support for 850 patients and their families while their awareness campaigns reached millions of people in the country and worldwide.

Awareness and Community Programmes

The society targeted more than 3,000 individuals through ten community events and another ten under their ‘Kashf’ initiative. Furthermore, activities included five events focused on childhood cancer awareness, four on lung health, one on men’s health, and a remote event for skin health awareness. Additionally, 400 events were conducted by the medical clinics under the Pink Caravan initiative.

The initiatives covered breast cancer and c
ervical cancer awareness, offering 18,228 free medical screenings for early breast cancer detection. These comprised 17,223 clinical examinations, 887 mammograms, and 118 ultrasound screenings. In a unique initiative, ‘Locks of Hope’, 674 individuals donated hair, used to provide natural hair wigs to 20 female patients. The society also covered the costs of Umrah trips for five patients.

Key Milestones of 2023

The FOCP’s journey in 2023 began with the Pink Caravan Ride, coinciding with World Cancer Day from 4th to 10th February. During the pan-UAE trek, 13,457 free medical screenings for breast cancer were carried out across the seven emirates, including 139 mammograms. The annual awareness initiative achieved massive success with the help of 384 volunteers, including riders, logistics teams, and medical staff, who contributed 59,830 volunteer hours.

Continuing their journey, the FOCP launched the annual Zakat campaign, which yielded AED5.3 million in donations and Zakat funds channelled for cancer patient
s’ support. Allocations included AED1,566,802 for chemotherapy, AED1,423,751 for medication, AED799,165 for bone marrow transplants, AED655,232 for radiation therapy, AED498,108 for cancer surgeries, AED261,967 for imaging, and AED103,292 for medical equipment.

MoUs, Strategic Partnerships for Expanding Treatment Scope

In a move to honour the courage of cancer patients, the FOCP signed an MoU with the Esaad Centre as part of the “Esaad card” initiative. This initiative offers a range of benefits and facilities that positively impact and improve cancer patients’ quality of life.

Additionally, the association signed an MoU with Ghantoot Horse Racing and Polo Club to join forces in community-based endeavours to amplify awareness, showcasing cutting-edge treatment programmes and technologies accessible within the UAE. Moreover, the FOCP and Zulekha Hospital signed a landmark partnership, paving the way for enhanced and affordable cancer care access in the UAE, streamline and optimise the medical journey of the
se patients, ensuring they receive top-tier medical treatments with substantial financial relief at Zulekha Hospital branches in Sharjah and Dubai. The FOCP forged strategic partnerships with more than 25 partners and sponsors throughout the year.

Recognition of FOCP’s efforts

The FOCP’s efforts in raising community awareness were crowned with the award of “Cancer Awareness Advocate of the Year.” This accolade was presented during the fourth annual conference of the Emirates Oncology Society, held in September 2023 in Dubai. The event was held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.

Source: Emirates News Agency